In our previous installment, we talked about Starlin Castro, the exploits of Babe Ruth the pitcher, Herb Score, Willie Davis, and other factoids. Today, we wish a happy birthday to Cubs’ farmhand and coffee drinker Dillon Maples, he of the otherworldly slider and precarious control, and we are pleased to provide various and sundry other items for your possible enjoyment and infotainment pleasure, such as it may be.
In this spirit, you are invited to peruse the following:
Today in baseball history:
- 1871 - The first Hispanic player in major league baseball is Esteban Enrique Bellan. The 21-year old Cuban infielder plays for the Troy Haymakers of the National Association. (3)
- 1878 - Sam Weaver pitches a no-hitter to lead the Milwaukee Cream Citys to their first N.L. win, beating Indianapolis 2-1, the one run scoring after a walk. One scorer gave a hit to John Clapp of the Blues, but Weaver is generally credited with a no-hitter. (2)
A story about discredited no-hitters. Most journals do NOT include this game in the official list. Here’s ESPN’s.
- 1888 - With a twelve-run lead, Louisville Colonels right-handed pitcher Icebox Chamberlain holds the Kansas City Cowboys scoreless pitching left-handed for the last two innings. (3)
More about the wonderfully-monickered Icebox Chamberlain, wherein it is inscribed:
“He did not wear a glove, so he could use either hand to throw to a base. As baserunners could never tell with which hand he would throw, he became adept at picking them off.”
Legendary. Charles Comiskey said:
“Elton Chamberlain is the coolest pitcher in the profession. The captain is authority for the statement that whenever Chamberlain perspires his shirt freezes to his skin and he has to take a warm bath before he can get it off.”
- 1946 - At Chicago, Braves first sacker Johnny Hopp swipes home in the 12th to break a 2 - 2 tie with the Cubs. Boston scores twice more to win, 5 - 2, with Lefty Wallace taking the decision over Ray Prim. (3)
Box score. Hopp was a really good player, a four-time MVP and an All-Star that year. Prim had been the ERA champion the previous year.
- 1963 - Ernie Banks becomes the first National League first baseman to register 22 putouts (and 23 chances) in a game, as the Cubs beat Pittsburgh, 3 - 1, on Dick Ellsworth’s two-hitter. Singles in the 2nd and 9th are the only Buc safeties, as they pound Ellsworth’s slider into the ground. (3)
- 1979 - At the Astrodome, substitute umpire Dave Pallone ejects the entire Cardinal bench after the players throw helmets and bats onto the field to protest a call. The minor league arbitrator was pressed into duty due to the major league umpire strike. (3)
(used to be) Rule 4.08 — “When the occupants of a player’s bench show violent disapproval of an umpire’ decision, the umpire shall first give warning that such disapproval shall cease. If such action continues —
PENALTY: the umpire shall order the offenders from the bench to the club house. If he is unable to detect the offender, or offenders, he may clear the bench of all substitute players. The manager of the offending team shall have the privilege of recalling to the playing field only those players needed for substitution in the game.” — MLB Rules project — I can’t find it in the official rules or the umpires bible but it should be somewhere in there.
- 1984 - The longest game in A.L. history (both in time and frames) ends in the 25th inning when Harold Baines homers off Chuck Porter to give the White Sox a 7-6 victory over the Brewers. The game falls one inning shy of the major league record, but takes the most time to play: eight hours and six minutes. The contest was suspended the previous day after 17 innings with the score tied 3-3. Each team scores three more runs in the 21st. Tom Seaver pitches the final inning to earn the win, then wins the regularly scheduled game as well 5-4. (2)
- 1993 - Cubs 1B Mark Grace hits for the cycle in Chicago’s 5 - 4 loss to the Padres. He is the 14th, and most recent, Cub to do so. (3)
- Cubs birthdays: Gus Crock, Josh Reilly, Tommy Clarke, Billy Jurges, Sam Mejias, Laddie Renfroe, Dillon Maples. Also notable: Tony Gwynn (HoF).
Sources:
- (1) — The National Pastime.
- (2) — Today in Baseball History.
- (3) — Baseball Reference.
Thanks for reading.